After the update surfaced that the Toronto Raptors were on the extremely short list of destinations Kawhi Leonard wanted to be traded to, speculation turned to several potential reasons. Some concluded that Leonard had unfinished business and wanted to return to the city where he won his second ring, arguably the most memorable of the last decade. Others claimed that he might’ve felt Toronto had a strong system and foundation he became very fond of, especially from the playoffs.
However, while each of those may have played a role, in a short film on his long-awaited arrival, Leonard said he isn't ring-chasing and wasn’t “trying to find the best team that could win.” This is not what the Raptors and their fans want to hear, as Toronto spent a handful of valuable assets and time that cannot be taken back to do one thing: win. Instead, the two-time champion said his family liked the city, and it's where his son was born.
This isn't the first time family has been cited as the reason an icon returns, especially for Clippers fans, as Chris Paul came back to LA roughly a year ago for the same exact reason. This is very common for players in the final stages of their careers.
Kawhi Leonard’s reason for making a return is not what Raptors fans want to hear
Right as he made his arrival, and during the media day, something the organization of the Toronto Raptors and their fans all over the world were probably looking forward to, Kawhi Leonard was raving on and on about how the current roster was one superstar away from being the championship favorites in his eyes, and that this is why he wanted to come back.
And, quite frankly, had Leonard said this, no one would’ve looked at his response sideways.
The Raptors already have an All-Star in Scottie Barnes, several high-end role players in RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and Collin Murray-Boyles, and a top-tier head coach in Darko Rajakovic.
That’s more than enough to go all the way with Leonard’s services, even with how stacked the Eastern Conference has become over the summer.
Despite these appealing qualities, which might’ve come second to Leonard, he followed his family's wishes and ultimately wanted to leave a legacy.
By doing so, Leonard is by no means wrong, but this isn't what the Raptors wanted to hear as the main reason he forced his way back.
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